MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the BBC, the Indian army managed to take control of a canal in the neighboring state of Haryana, currently mired in protests of the Jat community. The Jats, listed as upper caste, have been protesting demanding job quotas in government structures and educational institutions like the members of socially and educationally disadvantaged castes.
"The supply will be limited till the time the Munak [canal] is totally repaired. The crisis is not yet over. People should use water carefully," Mishra said, as quoted by the media outlet.
At least 18 people died in the protests, while over 200 have been injured, local media reported.
The Jat community has been traditionally regarded as upper caste, but demanded to be recategorized as an Other Backward Castes (OBC) group, a government classification indicating social and educational disadvantage. This would include them in quotas for more stable government jobs and educational programs.
The national government initially granted them OBC status in 2014, but the top court then overrode the decision, arguing that Jats were not "backward."
